Best time to travel in India
 

I'm in the very early stages of planning a trip to India. We would probably stick to the the area north of Dehli although would probably go to Alahabad as my great Grandfather was born there.

By best time I mean coolest season.

The vague plan is to freight the bike to Dehli and once we spent some time there we will freight it on to New Zealand where we have friends who can store it for a while. We have done this sort of thing before and it worked out OK.

Thanks in advance for any information.

December - March.

When you say "north of Delhi" that depends on how far north. Up to Rishikesh is pleasant; then the higher you go....well. Read on HU and ADV of riders in the Himalayas in snow etc. Research to suit your needs.

If you want to go to Rajastan, west of Delhi, then these months are great.

I'd hire a bike if I were you - by all accounts the hassles are enormous getting your bike out of customs etc. Those 125s are just fine IMO. Royal Oilfields are not, IMO.

Hello,
December to march is good. You could rent the bike in India with less hassles...but i think only enfield or "Oilfield"... :) will be available easily everywhere for rent. But this also depends on how long you want to ride in India.
Personally if i travel to north india...i either fly or take the train. and then locally hire a bike for a week or few days and ride it. done this only in Rishikesh and Pushkar till now....but was a good experience..
and if you are anyhow taking your bike and want to stop by in India..the months mentioned are good...even november will be ok..
if you can bear the heat and some rain anytime in the year is fine...you see, considerable part of india moves on two wheels :)

Pare

The weather will be the least of your problems believe me. :eek3:

After the Commonwealth Games, not during!

Thanks for the replies.

The impression I'm getting is that this idea of freighting the bike into Delhi is a non starter, so lets have some first hand horror stories.

I'm sure there is someone out there who has successfully got their bike into India by one means or another.

...can you ride it in?
 

yep - there are easier ways of getting it it....ride it across the border!

I also agree with mcgiggle - the least of your worries is getting your bike in....you will understand once you get there. after 7 years on the road RTW and riding in every concevable type of traffic scenario and terrian - India was the worst in every way.

dont get me wrong - the country is unbelievable - chaotic, beautiful, vibrant, colourful.....but a joy to ride through. No - absolutely NO..

I would strongly advise NOT to freight directly into India. Is it possible you can ride in over a border?

hiring an Enfiled...I can think of no other worse form of torture.....but thats just me!

Thanks Lisa, I'm slowly getting the message.

about one and a half year expirience riding a Enfiled bullet from North to South India and everything in between I can say a good 350 classic is good, even with two up and luggage. When you want to rent one in Delhi. Lalli Singh in Karol Bagh is a famous and reliable one.
March is not very nice in North India. A lot of fog.
Enjoy. a 66 year old motorbiker